Minami no Hanashi : Yume - Prelude

After a few minutes of walking, she reached her meeting point.

-(Azumi) Oh~ isn't that my little Himari?

-(Himari) Don't call me that!

Azumi wrapped Himari in a gentle hug, eliciting a sincere smile from her.

-(Himari) Thanks again for coming out for me!

-(Azumi) Oh~ it's nothing!

-(Himari) It means a lot! You're not supposed to be working anymore, yet here I am calling for help as if you're still with us.

-(Azumi) But I am still with you. She replied with a smile.

-(Himari) Thank you!~

-(Azumi) So, is it the same issue as last time?

-(Himari) No, this time... It's the performance evaluation of the communication and public relations team...

-(Azumi) Hm? But isn't that supposed to be your area?

-(Himari) Yes. But I've been assigned to it, for some reason!

-(Azumi) Well, let's discuss it all over a coffee, okay? There's a great café around the corner!

After a series of discussions and joint efforts at the café, Himari closed her laptop and sighed. "Phew... Thanks again, Azumi..."

-(Azumi) It's nothing, don't worry about it.

Azumi sipped her coffee while looking at Himari with a thoughtful gaze. She had a mischievous look. "But tell me... How's the wedding preparation going?"

Himari replied, displaying a sweet smile. "It's progressing."

-(Azumi) Hm? Are you sure?

Leaning slightly forward, Himari reassured with sincere conviction, "Yes, yes, it's progressing! Really!"

-(Azumi) Yes, I believe you. But that's not the issue, is it?

Himari's silence hinted at an affirmative response.

-(Azumi) If you don't want to talk about it, th--

-(Himari) Well, well... We can't hide anything from you!

Azumi responded with a benevolent smile. So, her friend let slip her true concern.

-(Himari) Actually... I'm scared.

-(Azumi) Scared?

-(Himari) Yes, I'm afraid of committing to someone... What if it all ends one day? What would I do?

-(Azumi) Himari... He's not just anyone; he's your fiancé. Why did you agree if you're not ready?

-(Himari) I am ready! It's just...

-(Azumi) You doubt him.

-(Himari) Yes... Did you never doubt before getting married? Imagining doubting Shinsuke, Azumi burst into laughter.

-(Azumi) Doubt Shinsuke? Not even once.

-(Himari) Never ever ever?

-(Azumi) Not even once, Himari. She assured firmly.

-(Himari) You two are really the perfect couple...

Azumi sensed a hint of jealousy in her friend's words. So, she moved to sit right next to her.

-(Azumi) Himari?

-(Himari) Ye-Yes?

-(Azumi) Did he do something to make you doubt the one who proposed to you?

-(Himari) No...

-(Azumi) Really?

-(Himari) No, really. He's wonderful to me.

-(Azumi) Well, that's a relief!

Himari gave a forced smile, avoiding Azumi's gaze.

-(Azumi) Are you still scared, though?

-(Himari) Yes, very.

-(Azumi) Could it be related to your parents?

Himari's face seemed increasingly affected and saddened. Bringing up her parents appeared to touch a nerve.

-(Himari) ... Maybe...

"This fear deep within you, did it arise when your father left your mother for another woman? Am I right?"

"How could you..." Stunned, tears began to well up in her eyes.

-(Azumi) Ohh... Come here...

Himari, letting out a trembling sigh, rested her heavy head against Azumi, allowing her emotions to flow freely in a torrent of burning tears. Long-buried memories and deeply ingrained fears resurfaced, awakening the saddened child within her who had slept for far too long.

-(Himari) He said he'd never leave us...

Just as she would for her own daughters, Azumi instinctively stroked her friend's head, offering her warm comfort. "It'll be okay."

Sniffling, Himari wiped her tears away with the back of her hand. "Thank you, Azumi." she replied, her voice trembling.

-(Azumi) Your future husband isn't like your father, I can assure you.

-(Himari) How can you know that? We're never sure about anything with men.

"With women either." she replied with a smile. "I was walking in the city streets with Minami. And that's when I saw your fiancé. It was a while ago. I had sent my daughter into a shop to buy what she wanted. And I went, in the meantime, to approach your fiancé to ask about you. But I barely had time to say hello before he showed me his silver ring and then he left. He didn't even look back."

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-(Himari) Did he really do that? It was just a little ring I gave him!

-(Azumi) Would I be a liar?

-(Himari) He turned you down even though you're incredibly beautiful?

-(Azumi) He didn't "turn me down," I didn't want him as my boyfriend anyway!

Himari seemed to regain her confidence. She straightened up, her fists clenched in excitement.

-(Himari) I'm so happy! My husband is faithful!!

-(Azumi) Well, as long as you're feeling better, that's the main thing! Make this wedding day unforgettable!

-(Himari) Yes!!

-(Azumi) And you should tell him you have friends.

-(Himari) He knows you by name! But not your face.

"Of course. But he should at least let people introduce themselves!" she exclaimed with a mix of exasperation and amusement.

"You just came off as a flirt!" she replied, laughing.

-(Azumi) I prefer you like this, Himari. Talk to your fiancé about your fears. Still agreed?

-(Himari) Yes!

Azumi looked thoughtfully out the window, a tender smile stretching her lips. "I feel like I'm talking to my daughters. Maybe I'll give them the same speech when they bring a boy home?"

Himari's gaze remained fixed on Azumi, showing her curiosity. Their eyes met, both sharing a smile of complicity.

-(Himari) By the way, how are they? They're at school right now, I believe?

-(Azumi) Yes! Narumi is doing very very well! Same for Minami. Actually, it's almost Narumi's break time.

-(Himari) Are they still fighting?

A multitude of scenes where her daughters bickered flashed through her mind. She sighed, "Yes... But it's not as bad as before. They're maturing. And they'll eventually understand they need to stick together."

-(Himari) You're a great mom!

-(Azumi) Aw, I haven't done anything.

-(Himari) Of course. And Shinsuke? Is he okay?

-(Azumi) Shinsuke?

Azumi froze for a moment. To deduce someone's state, Azumi builds an emotional puzzle. In this puzzle, facial expressions, eye contact, body language, tone of voice, verbal language, physical contact, eating habits, sleep, social behavior, nonverbal communication, and one of the most important factors in her eyes, the environment in which the person is constantly immersed, are taken into account. Through this complex thought process, Azumi tends to hit the mark. However, concerning Shinsuke, the situation is a bit more delicate. Because she knows nothing about the environment in which her husband is immersed daily. This creates a situation where all the puzzle pieces seem to be gathered, but no support is large or flat enough to allow these elements to be assembled into a coherent picture of his emotional state. She was therefore unable to say with certainty whether Shinsuke was okay or not.

Lost in thought, a scene came to her mind. A scene in which Shinsuke assured her that he was doing very well. So, she chose to rely solely on that to answer the simple question that had been asked of her. "Yes, he's fine!"

-(Himari) Hm?? Why did you hesitate?

-(Azumi) Because he was quieter than usual this morning.

-(Himari) Ohh... Because of work, right?

-(Azumi) That's what I think too. Well, I shouldn't interfere.

-(Himari) What do you mean 'you shouldn't interfere'? It's normal to interfere!

-(Azumi) For security reasons, as his job can have high-stakes issues, he has formally forbidden me from interfering. And I totally respect that! Even though it bothers me a lot not to know...

Knowing that it was difficult to hide anything from Azumi, Himari replied with a smile, "Anyway, if he's not doing well, it'll show tonight! And... We can't hide anything from you."

Azumi smiled back at her. After a moment of silence, Himari stood up.

-(Himari) Alright! I'm off, Azumi. Thank you again so much for today!!

-(Azumi) It's nothing, Himari. Don't hesitate to reach out if you need my help again.

-(Himari) Yes!

With that, Himari left the café. Azumi stayed a few minutes longer as she saw an acquaintance pass by. She spent a moment observing him from afar, then left without saying hello.

Outside the Katayama House

As Azumi was opening the door to enter, Narumi arrived.

-(Narumi) Mom?

-(Azumi) Oh, you're here already!

-(Narumi) Yes! I couldn't wait to get home.

As Narumi entered the house, Azumi smiled warmly at her.

-(Narumi) Are you coming in??

"Yeah yeah." she replied, stepping inside.

-(Narumi) What were you doing by the door, anyway?

-(Azumi) I had just come back.

-(Narumi) Ohhh, were you out seeing a friend?

"Yes! You know your mom well!" she exclaimed, closing the door behind her.

Narumi couldn't help but smile at receiving this compliment from her mother.

-(Azumi) Are you going back to school in 2 hours?

-(Narumi) No, I'm done. The teacher wasn't there.

-(Azumi) Ohh I see. Do you want anything specific to eat?

-(Narumi) Anything! As long as you make it, I'll be happy!

-(Azumi) Alright!

In the kitchen

As Azumi cooked, her thoughts wandered.

-(Azumi) ...Work... What could be going on at work...

Azumi begins to delve into her thoughts.

-(Azumi) This morning... The more I think about it, the more I notice he was much quieter than usual... He was probably lost in thought. I'm fine, Minami is fine, Narumi is fine, we have no money worries, no house worries, no car worries. So... By process of elimination... The only thing that could be occupying his thoughts would be...

Suddenly, Azumi burned her finger, interrupting her thoughts. The pain made her quickly withdraw her hand, and inadvertently, a glass fell.

She snapped back to reality: "No... I shouldn't meddle."

Upon hearing the crash, Narumi rushed into the kitchen, worried for her mother.

-(Narumi) Mom!

"Everything's fine, sweetheart, I just got distracted." she said, picking up the pieces of glass.

-(Narumi) That's not like you normally! What if something happens to you when there's no one at home?

Her gaze fell on Azumi's finger. "Did you burn yourself!?" Azumi didn't expect it to be so obvious.

Surprised, she examined her hand and found the injury. Then she looked up at Narumi, wearing a gentle smile: "Oh, it's nothing, darling!"

Determined, Narumi stepped forward, took Azumi's hand, and led her to the living room.

-(Narumi) Now, you stay put, Mom. I'll take care of everything, okay?

-(Azumi) But it's really nothing! It happens in the kitchen!

-(Narumi) Yes, but not to you normally. You must need to rest. I'll handle everything!

Narumi then dashed into the kitchen, leaving her mom alone in front of the TV.

Azumi sighed as she looked at her hand: "Maybe I'm overthinking. And besides, even if I wanted to, I couldn't know exactly what Shinsuke is doing right now."

A little later

-(Narumi) Ta-da! Dinner's ready!

-(Azumi) It smells amazing! And it looks delicious! Thank you so much, Narumi!

Narumi smiled in response. Then they immediately sat down to eat.

During the meal

-(Narumi) Mom?

-(Azumi) Yes?

-(Narumi) I find you... strange...

-(Azumi) How so?

-(Narumi) Are you sure everything's okay?... No need to answer. I know it's not. You're allowed to be weak sometimes, it happens! And... You can tell me everything!

Seeing her daughter's concern, she couldn't help but smile at her. "I assure you I'm fine!"

A sudden calm settled in. Sadness and frustration were evident on Narumi's face.

-(Narumi) I'm sure if it were Minami... You would've told her everything. What's the problem... You still see me as a little girl, don't you? I know you do. Otherwise, you would've gone back to work instead of taking care of me every lunchtime...

Azumi ate while closing her eyes to savor the flavor.

-(Narumi) You're not answering because you know I'm right!

-(Azumi) You've balanced the sauce I made very well. The meat is perfectly cut, it's like it's melting in the mouth. You put a tad too much salt, but that's your signature. You love salt so much. But one can tell you've made an effort! And it's remarkable!

She added with a smile: "Well done, Narumi, I'm proud of you."

-(Narumi) Thank you...

-(Azumi) And no, you're wrong.

-(Narumi) ...

-(Azumi) You're not a little girl anymore, Narumi. And it's not just to take care of you that I don't go back to work.

She paused, then continued with an emotional voice: "It's also because I want to enjoy every moment with you." Narumi was touched and looked up to meet Azumi's gaze.

-(Azumi) And no, whether it's Minami or you, it wouldn't make a difference. You're both my daughters.

-(Narumi) Sorry, Mom.

-(Azumi) Oh, it's nothing, darling!

-(Narumi) But you still haven't answered...

-(Azumi) You said "no need to answer," remember? she replied in a playful tone

-(Narumi) So I'm really right!

-(Azumi) Do you talk to me about your problems?

-(Narumi) Yes!

-(Azumi) That's only half true, Narumi.

-(Narumi) ...

-(Azumi) But I'll tell you about it, don't worry.

Narumi listened attentively.

-(Azumi) But I can't stand to see the food getting cold, so let's eat!

Disappointed she couldn't know more immediately, Narumi sighed and nodded.

Meanwhile, at the high school

Minami was eating in the cafeteria with Sanae. As Minami was having her second dessert, she looked up and noticed Sanae's gaze was elsewhere.

-(Minami) Aren't you eating?

-(Sanae) I've been hesitating for a while whether to get some ice cream... I want some but... I don't know.

-(Minami) Ice cream?... You should've told me sooner! I would've given you mine!

-(Sanae) That's exactly why I didn't tell you.

-(Minami) But?...

She stood up and added, "I'll go get it."

-(Sanae) You're not allowed to get it twice.

-(Minami) I'll say it's for you. The lady is nice! And she believes me! And besides, I'm not lying." With those words, she walked away.

Sanae sighed with a smile at her friend's stubbornness.

At the self-service counter

-(Minami) There it is!

As Minami finally saw the dessert Sanae wanted, unfortunately, a very familiar voice spoke up.

-(Ayemi) Move out of the way, cereal bar muncher.

-(Minami) You again, snake. I knew I shouldn't have helped you earlier.

-(Ayemi) Pff. Without Sanae, you wouldn't have helped me anyway, so you can shut up.

The hands of both girls were on the dessert. Tension reached its peak.

END OF CHAPTER